According to a new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 15,000 Americans died as a result of a painkiller overdose in 2008. Not only are painkillers dangerous, addictive and potentially lethal for those who take them for legitimate purposes, recent statistics indicate some 12 million Americans are actually using prescription painkillers simply in order to obtain a high. Some other alarming facts related to painkillers include:

The amount of painkillers available on the market by physicians, hospitals and pharmacies has quadrupled from 1999 to 2010.

Painkiller abuse rates are as high as 8 percent for those over the age of 12 in certain US states.

Enough painkillers are prescribed annually to medicate each American adult for 4 hours each month.

The abuse of prescription drugs has become so prevalent that the Obama administration has initiated a campaign to better deal with this worsening problem. This is just another reason to consider safe, effective chiropractic care if you are experiencing pain and/or disability related to your back, neck, spine, extremities or other soft tissues.